Thursday Kickoff: Wembley in line to host Euro 2020 final; Costa Rica beat Nicaragua; and more

The semifinals and final of the 2020 European Championships could be going to Great Britain’s premier soccer venue.

Just two venues, London’s Wembley Stadium and Munich’s Allianz Arena, have applied to host the final two rounds of Euro 2020, and according to multiple reports in England and Germany, the two nation’s FAs have come to a mutual agreement. The reports state that Germany will back England to host the Euro 2020 final, with England backing Germany to host Euro 2024 and then Germany again backing England for Euro 2028.

Euro 2020 is currently set to be hosted in 13 cities across Europe, making it the first pan-European international tournament. The venue for the final is expected to be voted on by UEFA on Sept. 19.

Germany FA president Wolfgang Niersbach has made winning the rights to host Euro 2024 his next target.

“I can confirm that it is our great goal that the whole of Euro 2024 be played exclusively in Germany,” Niersbach said.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Thursday:

COSTA RICA KICKS OFF COPA CENTROAMERICANA WITH WIN

A strong but not full-strength Costa Rican side had no problems in their Copa Centroamericana opener.

Taking part in the Gold Cup qualifying tournament, being hosted for the first time in the U.S., Costa Rica comfortably defeated Nicaragua, 3-0, with captain Celso Borges scoring for Los Ticos in the victory.

Forward Marco Ureña put Costa Rica up two goals with a great finish into the top corner, after Borges’ first-half penalty kick gave Costa Rica the lead. Debutant Johan Venegas added an insurance goal in the 85th minute with a close-range header to put Nicaragua away.

The match at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. was the first of a triple-header in the nation’s capital. Honduras defeated Belize, 2-0, in the second match of the evening via two own goals. A pair of goals from Seattle Sounder Marco Pappa gave Guatemala an uplifting victory over El Salvador to cap off the evening.

QUICK KICKS

FIFA has warned that Nigeria will be banned if Chris Giwa doesn’t relinquish his claim as Nigeria Football Federation president. (REPORT)

Shakhtar Donetsk claim that armed men have taken control of their club headquarters. (REPORT)

Barcelona have scheduled a friendly match against their B team in order to help boost the fitness of Luis Suarez. (REPORT)

German national team youngster Julian Draxler has been ruled out of his side’s Euro 2016 qualifying match on Sunday against Scotland with a hamstring injury. (REPORT)

Brazilian club Gremio have been disqualified from the Copa do Brazil after fans racially abused an opposing goalkeeper during a match. (REPORT)

Schalke 04 have learned that starting midfielder Leon Goretzka will miss another two months with a lingering thigh problem. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Wembley earning the right to host the Euro 2020 final? Do you see Costa Rica cruising through the tournament?

“Brazilian club Gremio have been disqualified from the Copa do Brazil after some fans racially abused an opposing goalkeeper during a match.” Good! This is what should happen. Forcing a club to close a supporter section or play the game behind closed doors does not send a strong enough message to the fans.